Great assessment of the system! It's interesting how some will promote to buy "local" even thought the supplier is not! But, I see it the same way, use your money in a way that's going to suit your needs. Looking forward to the next installment!
Hi hope you are well. Today I did the install, just a few pieces to tidy up. I can see the configuration menu and connected my iPhone via Bluetooth and Wifi but nothing seems to happen. I still have a black screen with options like CarPlay, airplay, WireAuro etc. Watching your Android connection as soon as it connected it looked like it jumped into google maps. Perhaps I missed something ? Great instructions by the way 👍
OK I've found a bit of a querk with iPhones, if you already have the OEM Bluetooth in the car then delete the phone from the car and the car from the phone. Then set up your connection with the MMI box. In the set up page, once its connected you'll get the symbol in the top right corner. You can then go to this and press it, your CarPlay will now start. Next time it'll connect automatically and will go straight into CarPlay. Once you're happy with that I'd suggest going into the box settings and there is a setting for using original Bluetooth phone of which I'd recommend using. Once you've done this you can reconnect your phone to the cars Bluetooth again and everything should work fine. Hope that helps.
@@BMWZ4Mods ah perfect thank you, just had to go and try it before the night was over and worked a treat. Tomorrow I just need to fit the mic wires into the steering wheel housing and some final trim refit then done. Taken a few photos for the Z4 forum which may also help. Wouldn’t have attempted it without your videos. iPad in the car and step by step 🙏👍
I have installed as per y0ur videos and works great. I doubt that one could get it installed without your videos as there are no instructions given specific to model Is it possible to make AA open right away when starting the car as opposed to having to push the menu button? Thanks!
I'm glad you've found it helpful. As for auto start in AA, alas I'm not aware of this, it does, however, do this in CarPlay, so just another of those annoying "Apple takes priority" situations again!! It's about time manufacturers realised we don't all have iPhones !!
I have this same box which I use wirelessly with my iPhone. Most of the times it connects just fine but on the odd occasion it won't connect. However it's pretty easy to sort out, I just go into the bluetooth settings in my iPhone and click on the CarPlay box in the settings and it connects. As you say a couple of tiny niggles but otherwise the box is a great!
Hi I just installed this unit after watching your other videos (thanks for answering my last comment with link to supplier!) I have an issue where the screen flickers badly and goes black occasionally. If I switch back to idrive, the idrive screen also flickers and jumps about. Is there anything that could be causing this? Also in your video you said to set the little switches to a certain value (I followed you) but the instructions say to add another (7 I think), is that right and could that be causing the flickering? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Morning Joe, First things first, (possibly obvious, but!) have you checked all of the cables for tightness and a click when inserted? Always best to re-check. Also possibly worth disconnecting the MMI box altogether and reconnecting it as just the iDrive only to make sure you don't have a problem with the screen. If the iDrive checks out all OK (I'm assuming it will) and you've made sure of the MMI box connections then you may be looking at a faulty box, in this case contact your supplier and inform them.
@@BMWZ4Mods thanks for that I'll give those ideas a go this weekend. Fingers crossed it's just a dodgy connection not a faulty unit as it took about a month to arrive! Everything works in terms of control and audio etc just annoying with the flickering screen
how would you compare the MMI box to the Android screen by their quality and functionality despite the price differences? I’ve got the idrive, but still drooling for the touch screen and also what an Android can do comparing to the limited function of the CarPlay, but a bit worried about the 3rd part screen and the plastics base quality. Thanks
The one I had was perfectly fine on quality for the software installed and the plastics used. It looked a very well built item, so piece of mind there. As for the differences then it's really down to what you want out of it? I loved my screen (I didn't have full iDrive at the time so it was a massive improvement), but I always wanted the iDrive full system. Now all I was using was Android Auto anyway on the touchscreen. I did try out hot-spotting to the screen and running all programs within the scren but just kept returning to AA instead. Since retrofitting the full iDrive (how-to video on iDrive coming very soon!) and instaling the MMI box then it is just perfect for what I want. I don't miss the touchscreen as I never touched it anyway (fake iDrive controller and steering wheel buttons for everything) and I love the fact that it flips up & down. To be totally honest it's horses for courses, only you know what you'll actually want to use on a daily basis. Yes I could have still had the iDrive unit and the touchscreen, but it served no purpose for me once iDrive was in.
Hi There, Just an update and question if I may. I am currently speaking with the supplier on Ali Express to ask if there is a firmware update available. Reason being CarPlay keeps stopping and I think it’s losing the Bluetooth connection (iPhone on latest iOS). It’s random, sometime fine for hours and other times more frequent. Will update you on the firmware outcome. I recall you had a customer with the same problem (oh and I checked the cables) did you ever find a fix ? Regards Steve
Hi Steven, Well the customer that had the problem never got back in touch so it's either OK now or he's living with it! As for my own, well its running the latest firmware from the supplier and my wife's iPhone has no problems connecting at all. I also have no connection problems with my Samsung. I'd certainly recommend contacting your supplier. Take a photo of the current firmware page and send it to hom so he can see if there us a later version available. Hopefully that'll sort you out 👍
@@BMWZ4Mods thank you, good to know. I have sent the screen shot. I also wonder if my original BMW Bluetooth is interfering. Worth a shot so I will disable that too. I will let you know if either the firmware is due an update and if it makes any difference 🙏
@@supercrazysane if you have a Bluetooth media connection (Bluetooth Music) at the same time it can interfere with the MMI connection. Best thing to do here would be to delete the phone from the head unit and the headunit from your phone and then reconnect your phone to the headunit for calls only, no music. Worth a try, but this is normally when you music stops playing immediately, not connection issues.
@@BMWZ4Mods just heard back from the supplier (I think we used the same). He has given me a download link and instruction to update the firmware ,so will go through the update steps tomorrow.
Does your screen have a delay in lifting up after the installation? My MMI box also drained my cars battery when I parked the car and didn't locked the car.
I have an intermittant delay both going up and down, thought is was because of my retrofit of the iDrive but it turns out other owners sometimes have this as well, nothing to do with the MMI box though. As for battery drain, yes this could be a problem under certain circumstances.
@@BMWZ4Mods my display started having the lag issue after I mounted the MMI. Some times it needs 15 seconds to lift up. Haven't seen any issues for lowering. I just updated the MCU in hopes of fixing the battery drain issue. Didn't manage yet to understand what is the route of the problem. Thanks for the answer and the tutorials!
@@i.am.razvan the OE screen is controlled via the canbus circuit. There are two cables that go to the screen, the LVDS cable which is the video signal (which you plug into the MMI box) and one with 4 cores, 2 for the canbus along with a positive and negative, this isn't affected by the MMI box at all, in fact there is no connection to this other than as part of the cars power and canbus systems. Although I don't dispute you at all I do not see how fitting the box could affect the screen, assuming all connections are tight and correct.
@BMW Z4 Mods I saw the wiring connections. I am thinking that the MMI is outputting garbage on the CAN-bus and it's blocking the correct messages from arriving on time. I didn't had time to have a look on the raw CAN-bus to see if there are any error frames since I added the box. Since the MCU update I saw that the next/previous controls on the steering wheel are now working correctly (they were previously reversed) and hadn't had any screen lifting lag yet. If the issue is fixed I will let you know. By the way, reviewed your tutorials again and managed to find the fix for the loud Google Assistant. Thanks again 🍻
thanks for the very detailed video, I am actually considering this setup, what I am looking for is a device capable of: - voice commands for maps (I Just wanna say "hey google take me to etc etc...."), I didn't quite get if it works or not, is it? - smartphone screen mirroring via cable with a USB type c plug - playing TH-cam videos even when the car is running Would you mind to confirm the above points(I mean if I can with that setup)? Btw I have an Android phone
Yes I can confirm the following.... - voice commands for maps - Yes, all "Hey Google" commands work as per any other Android Auto device. Just press the "speak" button on the steering wheel. - smartphone screen mirroring via cable with a USB type c plug - Screen mirroring is available via the AutoLink app, plug your phone in, open the AutoLink button on the box menu and follow the instructions. All options are then only controlled via your phone screen. I'd always recommend a genuine original phone cable, and Type C is usable as that is what I use. - playing TH-cam videos even when the car is running - There are ways to do this, and a few videos on TH-cam on how to do it, but I think your phone needs to be hacked to achieve this (I may be wrong). This is a phone app issue, not a box issue, you need to get Android Auto (on your phone) to recognise TH-cam. Hope that helps.
@@BMWZ4Mods I think my combox wiring is wrong, my car didn't originally come with one and I retrofitted it. The AUX cable must be on the wrong pins, I need to find out what pins are for AUX and double-check that all is connected well.
@@Tzaks OK so this is the wiring for the AUX to Combox, as per the E89 wiring diagram… AUX Pin 1 to Combox Pin 10 - Purple AUX Pin 2 to Combox Pin 23 - White with Orange stripe AUX Pin 3 to Combox Pin 24 - White with green stripe AUX Pin 4 to Combox Pin 22 - (shield strand) That’s assuming when you retrofitted it you ran the wires directly from the AUX/USB socket to the Combox and didn’t use a USB Hub unit.
A couple of links are in the description, other suppliers are available.
Great assessment of the system! It's interesting how some will promote to buy "local" even thought the supplier is not! But, I see it the same way, use your money in a way that's going to suit your needs. Looking forward to the next installment!
Thanks for your effort Dave
Yoghurt
Very informative.. Thank you!
Hi hope you are well. Today I did the install, just a few pieces to tidy up. I can see the configuration menu and connected my iPhone via Bluetooth and Wifi but nothing seems to happen. I still have a black screen with options like CarPlay, airplay, WireAuro etc. Watching your Android connection as soon as it connected it looked like it jumped into google maps. Perhaps I missed something ? Great instructions by the way 👍
OK I've found a bit of a querk with iPhones, if you already have the OEM Bluetooth in the car then delete the phone from the car and the car from the phone. Then set up your connection with the MMI box. In the set up page, once its connected you'll get the symbol in the top right corner. You can then go to this and press it, your CarPlay will now start. Next time it'll connect automatically and will go straight into CarPlay.
Once you're happy with that I'd suggest going into the box settings and there is a setting for using original Bluetooth phone of which I'd recommend using. Once you've done this you can reconnect your phone to the cars Bluetooth again and everything should work fine.
Hope that helps.
@@BMWZ4Mods ah perfect thank you, just had to go and try it before the night was over and worked a treat. Tomorrow I just need to fit the mic wires into the steering wheel housing and some final trim refit then done. Taken a few photos for the Z4 forum which may also help. Wouldn’t have attempted it without your videos. iPad in the car and step by step 🙏👍
I have installed as per y0ur videos and works great. I doubt that one could get it installed without your videos as there are no instructions given specific to model
Is it possible to make AA open right away when starting the car as opposed to having to push the menu button?
Thanks!
I'm glad you've found it helpful.
As for auto start in AA, alas I'm not aware of this, it does, however, do this in CarPlay, so just another of those annoying "Apple takes priority" situations again!! It's about time manufacturers realised we don't all have iPhones !!
I have this same box which I use wirelessly with my iPhone. Most of the times it connects just fine but on the odd occasion it won't connect. However it's pretty easy to sort out, I just go into the bluetooth settings in my iPhone and click on the CarPlay box in the settings and it connects. As you say a couple of tiny niggles but otherwise the box is a great!
Thanks, I'll pass this info onto my customer and see if it helps him.
Hi I just installed this unit after watching your other videos (thanks for answering my last comment with link to supplier!) I have an issue where the screen flickers badly and goes black occasionally. If I switch back to idrive, the idrive screen also flickers and jumps about. Is there anything that could be causing this? Also in your video you said to set the little switches to a certain value (I followed you) but the instructions say to add another (7 I think), is that right and could that be causing the flickering?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Morning Joe,
First things first, (possibly obvious, but!) have you checked all of the cables for tightness and a click when inserted? Always best to re-check.
Also possibly worth disconnecting the MMI box altogether and reconnecting it as just the iDrive only to make sure you don't have a problem with the screen.
If the iDrive checks out all OK (I'm assuming it will) and you've made sure of the MMI box connections then you may be looking at a faulty box, in this case contact your supplier and inform them.
@@BMWZ4Mods thanks for that I'll give those ideas a go this weekend. Fingers crossed it's just a dodgy connection not a faulty unit as it took about a month to arrive! Everything works in terms of control and audio etc just annoying with the flickering screen
how would you compare the MMI box to the Android screen by their quality and functionality despite the price differences? I’ve got the idrive, but still drooling for the touch screen and also what an Android can do comparing to the limited function of the CarPlay, but a bit worried about the 3rd part screen and the plastics base quality. Thanks
The one I had was perfectly fine on quality for the software installed and the plastics used. It looked a very well built item, so piece of mind there.
As for the differences then it's really down to what you want out of it? I loved my screen (I didn't have full iDrive at the time so it was a massive improvement), but I always wanted the iDrive full system. Now all I was using was Android Auto anyway on the touchscreen. I did try out hot-spotting to the screen and running all programs within the scren but just kept returning to AA instead.
Since retrofitting the full iDrive (how-to video on iDrive coming very soon!) and instaling the MMI box then it is just perfect for what I want. I don't miss the touchscreen as I never touched it anyway (fake iDrive controller and steering wheel buttons for everything) and I love the fact that it flips up & down.
To be totally honest it's horses for courses, only you know what you'll actually want to use on a daily basis. Yes I could have still had the iDrive unit and the touchscreen, but it served no purpose for me once iDrive was in.
Hi There,
Just an update and question if I may. I am currently speaking with the supplier on Ali Express to ask if there is a firmware update available. Reason being CarPlay keeps stopping and I think it’s losing the Bluetooth connection (iPhone on latest iOS). It’s random, sometime fine for hours and other times more frequent. Will update you on the firmware outcome. I recall you had a customer with the same problem (oh and I checked the cables) did you ever find a fix ? Regards Steve
Hi Steven,
Well the customer that had the problem never got back in touch so it's either OK now or he's living with it!
As for my own, well its running the latest firmware from the supplier and my wife's iPhone has no problems connecting at all. I also have no connection problems with my Samsung.
I'd certainly recommend contacting your supplier. Take a photo of the current firmware page and send it to hom so he can see if there us a later version available.
Hopefully that'll sort you out 👍
@@BMWZ4Mods thank you, good to know. I have sent the screen shot. I also wonder if my original BMW Bluetooth is interfering. Worth a shot so I will disable that too. I will let you know if either the firmware is due an update and if it makes any difference 🙏
@@supercrazysane if you have a Bluetooth media connection (Bluetooth Music) at the same time it can interfere with the MMI connection. Best thing to do here would be to delete the phone from the head unit and the headunit from your phone and then reconnect your phone to the headunit for calls only, no music.
Worth a try, but this is normally when you music stops playing immediately, not connection issues.
@@BMWZ4Mods will do!! Thanks again
@@BMWZ4Mods just heard back from the supplier (I think we used the same). He has given me a download link and instruction to update the firmware ,so will go through the update steps tomorrow.
Does your screen have a delay in lifting up after the installation?
My MMI box also drained my cars battery when I parked the car and didn't locked the car.
I have an intermittant delay both going up and down, thought is was because of my retrofit of the iDrive but it turns out other owners sometimes have this as well, nothing to do with the MMI box though.
As for battery drain, yes this could be a problem under certain circumstances.
@@BMWZ4Mods my display started having the lag issue after I mounted the MMI. Some times it needs 15 seconds to lift up. Haven't seen any issues for lowering.
I just updated the MCU in hopes of fixing the battery drain issue. Didn't manage yet to understand what is the route of the problem.
Thanks for the answer and the tutorials!
@@i.am.razvan the OE screen is controlled via the canbus circuit. There are two cables that go to the screen, the LVDS cable which is the video signal (which you plug into the MMI box) and one with 4 cores, 2 for the canbus along with a positive and negative, this isn't affected by the MMI box at all, in fact there is no connection to this other than as part of the cars power and canbus systems.
Although I don't dispute you at all I do not see how fitting the box could affect the screen, assuming all connections are tight and correct.
@BMW Z4 Mods I saw the wiring connections. I am thinking that the MMI is outputting garbage on the CAN-bus and it's blocking the correct messages from arriving on time. I didn't had time to have a look on the raw CAN-bus to see if there are any error frames since I added the box.
Since the MCU update I saw that the next/previous controls on the steering wheel are now working correctly (they were previously reversed) and hadn't had any screen lifting lag yet. If the issue is fixed I will let you know.
By the way, reviewed your tutorials again and managed to find the fix for the loud Google Assistant. Thanks again 🍻
thanks for the very detailed video, I am actually considering this setup, what I am looking for is a device capable of:
- voice commands for maps (I Just wanna say "hey google take me to etc etc...."), I didn't quite get if it works or not, is it?
- smartphone screen mirroring via cable with a USB type c plug
- playing TH-cam videos even when the car is running
Would you mind to confirm the above points(I mean if I can with that setup)? Btw I have an Android phone
Yes I can confirm the following....
- voice commands for maps - Yes, all "Hey Google" commands work as per any other Android Auto device. Just press the "speak" button on the steering wheel.
- smartphone screen mirroring via cable with a USB type c plug - Screen mirroring is available via the AutoLink app, plug your phone in, open the AutoLink button on the box menu and follow the instructions. All options are then only controlled via your phone screen. I'd always recommend a genuine original phone cable, and Type C is usable as that is what I use.
- playing TH-cam videos even when the car is running - There are ways to do this, and a few videos on TH-cam on how to do it, but I think your phone needs to be hacked to achieve this (I may be wrong). This is a phone app issue, not a box issue, you need to get Android Auto (on your phone) to recognise TH-cam.
Hope that helps.
@@BMWZ4Mods totally get the third point, thanks for your prompt reply
Do you have static sound when playing music through aux?
No not at all. I'd suggest some contactcleaner in the AUX socket. Also check your AUX volume levels.
@@BMWZ4Mods I think my combox wiring is wrong, my car didn't originally come with one and I retrofitted it. The AUX cable must be on the wrong pins, I need to find out what pins are for AUX and double-check that all is connected well.
@@Tzaks OK so this is the wiring for the AUX to Combox, as per the E89 wiring diagram…
AUX Pin 1 to Combox Pin 10 - Purple
AUX Pin 2 to Combox Pin 23 - White with Orange stripe
AUX Pin 3 to Combox Pin 24 - White with green stripe
AUX Pin 4 to Combox Pin 22 - (shield strand)
That’s assuming when you retrofitted it you ran the wires directly from the AUX/USB socket to the Combox and didn’t use a USB Hub unit.
@@BMWZ4Mods thank you, I'll check them this weekend. I have a usb/aux hub as well just in case it's needed.